Her energy seems to be endless whether Phyllis Callis Hudgins is cooking, decorating her home, preparing for family visits or volunteering in several community projects.

You may have read about Phyllis’s long-time volunteer work at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital a few months ago in the Gazette-Journal. Today we talk about her dedication to home and family.

Phyllis grew up in Mathews. “I was the one who loved to be doing things and playing outside. I watched my mother cook but my brother and I would go crabbing, and that was more fun.” In school she took home economics classes and in her senior year was elected May Queen of Mathews High School. Later Phyllis met the love of her life, and she and Bobby Hudgins were married in 1959.

By then, Phyllis’s cooking was a new interest and accomplishment.

“I give the credit to Mildred Hudgins and Dorothy Foster for learning how to cook. Mildred was my Home Ec teacher,” at MHS. A few years later, Mildred Hudgins was doing home demonst...